Aussies raring to defend crown in arnis tourney

CEBU, Philippines – The Australian eskrimadors are raring to defend their title in the 2009 Cacoy Doce Pares World Eskrima-Arnis Championships on April 24-26 at the City Sports Club-Cebu.

This was the assurance made by Grandmaster Christopher Nasilowksi of the Millennium School of Martial Arts based in Athol Park, South Australia.

Nasilowksi said there are various martial arts clubs in Australia that are coming to participate in the three-day event including that of Grandmaster Vince Palumbo, who is due in Cebu tomorrow to further hone up at the Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation Club.

The earliest to come for the competition, Nasilowksi brought with him two of his top students from Poland but will carry the Australian flag. They are heavyweight prospect Mirek Osytek and mid-heavyweight contender Jan Nycek.

Another Nasilowksi’s student Rondall Rasig will join for the first time in a world tournament. He is set to showcase his skills in the single olisi, double olisi, and kata categories.

More Australians and some delegates from Indonesia and New Zealand are coming over tomorrow, while the rest of the participating teams will be arriving on the eve of the tournament. (GGM) (FREEMAN NEWS)